Behind the Scenes...Moving the Team Forward

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Tony founded LINCS with a clear mission: build a team of educators so exceptional that districts across Wisconsin never have to wonder whether their students with visual impairments are in good hands. He holds a B.A. in English and an M.S. Ed in Visual Impairments from Northern Illinois University, and an M.S. Ed in Educational Administration from National Louis University — a combination that lets him lead with both deep field knowledge and organizational vision.

His approach to running the agency is disarmingly straightforward: recruit outstanding teachers, support them fully, and then get out of their way so they can do what they were trained to do. Under his leadership, LINCS has grown into a multi-region consulting organization serving districts across Wisconsin with specialized low-incidence services that most school systems could not staff on their own.

When he steps away from work, Tony and his wife enjoy traveling and hiking — with one son serving in the United States Marine Corps and another starting his first year at UW-Madison, the family has plenty to be proud of and plenty of good reasons to stay on the move.

Cortney holds dual certification as both a Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI) and a Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist (COMS) — a combination held by a small number of professionals in Wisconsin. She earned her B.S. Ed in Visual Impairments in 2013 and her M.S. Ed in Orientation & Mobility in 2017, both from Northern Illinois University, one of the most respected TVI/O&M programs in the country.

As Director of Operations, Cortney works across every dimension of LINCS — directly with students, alongside teachers in a supervisory and mentorship role, and behind the scenes keeping the organization running. Her particular strength is helping districts with staffing challenges find workable, sustainable solutions while building up the teachers already on the ground. She believes that anything worth doing is worth doing with genuine passion, and that conviction shows up in how she approaches every part of the work.

"Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never work a day in your life." -Mark Twain